5 Healthy Herbs You Can Find In Your Own Backyard!

I have always had a green thumb. I love gardens so much that I even made my husband promise we’d have one by making sure it was in his wedding vows, and he did! Thankfully, my kids also inherited some of my gardening genes. They are as crazy as I am about gardening, making it one of those topics we just naturally bond over. We take trips to the local market to get new plants after every few months and spend most of our evenings on the little green patch in our backyard.

It was only recently that I came across this article on a website that listed all those plants with exceptional medicinal properties. Astonishingly, I found many of these in my own backyard and I bet you have them too. I have decided to list down the medicinal benefits of 5 of these herbs.

Aloe Vera

Since I was a little girl, I saw my older sister putting Aloe Vera gel on her face to fight acne. So, I knew that it was good for your skin and I used it too for the same reason. Aloe Vera has many healing properties. It is best for reducing inflammation, aids heartburn, relieves constipation and stems the discomfort caused by the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Rosemary

I have this by my kitchen window as me and my kids have a thing for Italian food. We love adding organic rosemary because its taste and aroma are both heavenly. But many recent studies have shown that rosemary offers many other benefits as well, such as reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has antifungal and antibacterial properties and improves blood circulation to the brain.

Lavender

It’s relaxing fragrance and subtle hue is one of the many reasons why people choose to have lavender in their home gardens. I have them too for the same reason; also because of the fact that my husband gifted this plant to me on our 5th anniversary. What most people don’t know is that lavender also has great antiseptic properties and works against bacteria and prevents inflammation. Its fragrance and oils today are used to treat migraines, insomnia, anxiety and depression in patients.

Stinging Nettle

Until recently, I detested stinging nettle. Surprisingly, it has edible leaves, roots and stems which, when cooked or boiled, neutralize the pain caused by stings. Did you know that it has 29 times more calcium than what is found in spinach and more protein than that present in beans? If you didn’t, now you do!

Red Clover

Red clover has sweet-and-salty little flowers that make perfect garnishes to be sprinkled on soups and teas. However, that is not all that the plant offers. It can also be used to treat bronchitis, cough, hormonal imbalance, exhaustion, spasms and anxiety, all of which are conditions a mother with kids knows all too well.